Solaire stages 11-fight muay thai card

MANILA, Philippines - An exciting 11-fight card comprises the biggest muay thai event the country is hosting this Saturday at the grand ballroom of the Solaire Resort and Casino Hotel.

Dubbed Kunlun Fight 4 World Tour, the meet features 24 warriors from eight countries, and will be highlighted by the World Boxing Council lightweight championship match between title holder Keijiro Miyakoshi of Japan and Wei Ninghui of China.

The matches are sanctioned by the WBC and promoted by World Team USA, represented by Tony Reyes and Mark Ambrose, who appeared in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate.

Reyes said all fights will be beamed live in Bangkok and China, where he said there is a huge market for muay thai.

Another highlight of the fight card is the four-man tournament semifinals featuring Ivan Bartek of Slovakia against Yin Pengsen of China (95 kg), and France’s Massinissa Hamaili opposite Sergio Kenneth of the Netherlands.

The two surviving fighters after the semis will then tangle for the title, with the winner receiving a certification from the WLF world kickboxing gold belt.

At least four Filipino bets are seeing action in the undercard led by Philippine kickboxing champion Ryan Jakili and lady fighter Roshelle Lestino, who are up against Chinese opponents.

The 28-year-old Jakili is taking on Ou Yang in a three-round bout at 59 kg., while Lestino, 20, battles Huang Feir at 56 kg of a similar three-round match.

Reinhard Badato will also be up against a Chinese in Wang Wanben (60 kg), even as Michael Badato faces Mokkharat Worawut of Thailand (75 kg).

Completing the card is the 75 kg showdown between Matthew Richardson of Canada and Tang Yunxing of China, American Skylr Penna versus Changpuak Jetsada of Thailand (70 kg), and the other women’s bout featuring Brazil’s Taina against Wang Kehan of China.

As an added incentive, Reyes announced during the same forum presented by Shakey’s, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Accel, that extra bonus will be given to fighters who will win by way of knockout.

The formal press conference for the fight will be on Saturday followed by the official weigh-in.

The fight card is scheduled to be aired on ABS-CBN on May 4 at 11 p.m.